TrawlerFest Anacortes 2016

TrawlerFest is PassageMaker’s stand-alone series of boat shows, specifically designed for cruising enthusiasts. Strategically located in key cruising regions nationwide, TrawlerFests feature an impressive in-water selection of new and pre-owned cruising powerboats, first-class education and demonstrations, the latest in marine products & services, and opportunities to share cruising adventures with fellow cruisers, industry experts and your favorite PassageMaker editors. TrawlerFest is more than a boat show; it’s where industry, education, and community come together in a relaxed, rendezvous-type atmosphere. TrawlerFest is an experience you simply won’t want to miss!Join us May 17-21 for Seminars & May 19-21 for In-Water Show Portion of TrawlerFest in Anacortes, Washington, for the second TrawlerFest stop of 2016 as we head to the Pacific Northwest!

Two day course. Includes lunch for both days This is not the only diesel engine course for boaters, but it is the only diesel engine course for boaters taught by renown author/researcher Nigel Calder and veteran boatbuilder and yard operator Steve Zimmerman. Calder’s status is such that when he makes an observation about engine performance, the engine manufacturers themselves pay attention. It is also worthy of note that unlike most other engine instructors both Calder and Zimmerman are real-deal cruisers, who bring this perspective to the curriculum. This two-day session combines classroom time with hands-on engine time in the shop. It also combines theory and practical troubleshooting instruction, and it does so with a touch of humor to keep things lively.

LUNCH: Attendees will be provided box lunches both days.

PARTY/CEREMONY: Attendees and spouses are welcome to a “graduation” party after Wednesday’s session, during which certificates of completion will be awarded, and a good time will be had. In some cases the certificate of completion may help attendees save money on their boat insurance.

CURRENTS: HOW TO MASTER THEM AT THE DOCK, UNDER WAY AND IN TIDAL NARROWS With Captain Linda Lewis

May 17, 2016 8:30am-10:30am

$60.00

Can you figure out how the current is going to affect your cruise? How do you plan for the current when docking? Do you know you can’t use tide tables to predict slack water at Deception Pass? If any of your answers are fuzzy, this seminar will help you learn how to master the currents in these situations. We'll work some actual scenarios together, using current tables. Capt. Linda Lewis has been through every tidal narrows between here and the north-west corner of Southeast Alaska on her trawler. She holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Masters License and her work is providing customized on-the-water instruction. BOAT HANDLING FOR COUPLES: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SMOOTH TEAMWORK With Captain Linda Lewis

May 17, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

The usual high-anxiety moments on a boat (such as docking and anchoring) don’t have to be that way with set procedures, good communications, and smooth teamwork. Capt. Linda Lewis has taught hundreds of boat partners how to make this teamwork on a boat a reality. These are tried and true tips for you to stay safe, grow your skills, and work well together. WHAT TO DO WHEN THE CAPTAIN IS INCAPACITATED With Mark Bunzel

May 17, 2016 1:00pm-4:00pm

$125.00

What would you do if your captain became incapacitated and now it's your time to take the boat back to the dock? Mark Bunzel, author, cruiser and rally leader, will cover the key steps to prepare and the basics you need to know to be able to report an emergency on the radio, press the DSC Emergency button, and how to respond on the radio. He will also cover the basics on how to handle the boat to return to the dock. Mark will provide a checklist to use on the boat just in case something unfortunate happens. This course is structured for cruising couples, or the significant other who would like to be ready… just in case.

HANDS ON BOAT HANDLING With Bob Sweet & Captains

May 18, 2016 8:30am-5:00pm

$250.00

*NOT included in VIP PASS* Class in the morning, Aboard in the afternoon This course will develop skills in close quarters maneuvering and docking, not to mention the confidence gained from having been taught by some of the very best instructors in the business. Bob Sweet is the author of several marine titles including Powerboat Handling Illustrated and The Instant Handbook of Boat Handling, Navigation and Seamanship. The morning is all class time, then in the afternoon, the class breaks down into groups and goes out on the water to put what it has learned into practice. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion that in some cases may help save some money on their boat insurance.

ONBOARD COMMUNICATIONS & ENTERTAINMENT With Paul Comyns

May 18, 2016 8:30am-10:30am

$60.00

Satellite communications and satellite television keep you connected to the world when you’re out of range of terrestrial systems. Paul Comyns, a veteran marine electronics expert, outlines what is available, how these systems work in layman’s terms, what to expect and how to ask for the right things. There are many new services coming online and Comyns will share what he thinks works best for live-aboard cruisers. He will also explain antenna placement and how to maximize the performance of the systems onboard.

CALIFORNIA SOUTHBOUTH With Mark Bunzel

May 18, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

Mark Bunzel, publisher of cruising guides, including Exploring the Pacific Coast: San Diego to Seattle, will give how-to advice on a 1,300-mile coast with an unfriendly reputation. There is no doubt that coastal Oregon and California have their challenges, but anyone wanting to get to the cruising grounds of the Baja peninsula and beyond, need to transit these waters first. Bunzel offers practical advice to make your voyage easier, safer and more enjoyable, highlighting the best stops along the way, big and small, and passagemaking strategies.CRUISING BAJA & THE SEA OF CORTEZ With Patty Rains

May 18, 2016 1:00pm-4:00pm

$125.00

Baja California need not be a mystery. It’s 700-mile Pacific Coast just the hurdle mariners need to leap to reach the good stuff, the well-known cruising grounds of the Sea of Cortez. Author of Mexico Boating Guide and Cruising Ports: the Central American Route nautical guidebooks, Patricia Rains pulls out the charts to reveal the five most reliable stops for port clearance, diesel, sound night’s sleep and weather refuge on Baja’s Pacific Coast. These stops are good both southbound and for “bashing” back up Baja. She’ll also talk about three other fun stops for fishing, island hiking and whale watching. Then Rains takes attendees around Los Cabos and into the Sea of Cortez for a close look at the very best winter cruising circuits (marinas, anchorages, fuel docks, boat yards) and summer circuits (hurricane holes, fishing maps) and where these circuits overlap. She’ll also touch briefly on commuter cruising for those who may plan to leave the boat down there and fly back and forth for a while.

Even when it goes well, buying a boat can be a stressful process. The idea behind this eight-hour seminar is to arm buyers with the information they need to minimize frustration and unnecessary expense. There are six “team teach” instructors, with individual presentations and a group panel session at the end of the second morning. The theme of the first morning is “physics & psychology,” leading off with the first decision a prospective buyer of a cruising boat must make. That is, what kind of cruiser you plan to be and therefore what kind of hull design, because, as boat designer Sam Devlin will argue, hull form matters. Then boatbuilder and yard owner Steve Zimmerman will explain fiberglass boat construction and how to discern between good and bad. Metal boat builder Dylan Bailey explains metal boat construction and its advantages and disadvantages, and Sam Devlin will talk about the art of wood/epoxy builds. The theme on day two is “the fine print,” and it begins with Dylan Bailey on how to choose the right surveyor and his or her proper role. Yacht broker John Clayman speaks on the topic of choosing a yacht broker and the elements of a good sales contract. Insurance veteran Cary Wiener follows with a behind-the-scenes look at marine insurance and the elements of a good cruising policy. Topics will include navigation territories, coverages, claims liability coverages, international medical coverage, north/south restrictions, named windstorm deductibles and the differences between the agreed value and actual cash value policies. The seminar concludes with all the presenters on stage to answer questions from the audience and to discuss one of the great conundrums of the age: The virtues of simplicity are often touted in discussions about boats, but simplicity is rarely achieved in the marketplace. What constitutes a simple boat? And are complex boats really that bad?

EMERGENCIES AT SEA With Denny Emory

May 19, 2016 8:30am-12:00pm

$125.00

For most of us, emergencies at sea are events watched on television or read in the marine press in the comforts of our homes. Circumnavigator and medical expert Denny Emory will define what constitutes a true emergency and how to cope with emergencies when they happen. He will also discuss planning and preparation and how to summon help. He will present an overview of the safety gear now available on the market and how to decide what you need, including whether you should carry a liferaft. He will show you a typical “ditch bag.” Using personal experiences and reports of actual events, Emory brings this important topic to life in a way that may save yours. CRUISING THE DESOLATION SOUND With Mark Bunzel

May 19, 2016 8:30am-10:30am

$60.00

Cruising up to Desolation Sound through the Northern Georgia Strait can be the trip of a lifetime. Mark Bunzel, who publishes the guide book for this region, will cover how to plan a safe and comfortable passage from Nanaimo to Lund. When you round Sarah Point and see the snow capped mountains off in the distance, you will know you have arrived in the beautiful Desolation Sound area.

Bunzel will cover the best strategies to get there and how to plan an itinerary to see the best marinas and anchorages in Desolation Sound. We will even give you tips on how to spend a glorious night just in front of the waterfall in Teakerne Arm. We will also cover preparing your boat and what equipment you may want to have, tides and currents with strategies and routing options, and voyage planning for passing through “the gates”. We will also cover the summer weather patterns and how to interpret the weather forecasts for an enjoyable cruise.

GETTING THE MOST FROM RADAR With Paul Comyns & Eric Kunz

May 19, 2016 8:30am-10:30am

$60.00

For marine radar, World War II is over…finally. Marine electronics industry veterans Paul Comyns and Eric Kunz will discuss the recent and rapid rise of solid-state multi-frequency radar and the demise of pulse technology originally developed during the Battle of Britain, and what this means for today’s radar consumers and operators. As the title implies, they will share the theory and practical tips that participants can use to get the most from their radars. Comyns, now with Intellian, was with Navico when the company developed its ground-breaking “broadband radar,” and Kunz of Furuno was involved in development of Furuno's recently-announced DRS4D-NXT, a solid-state radar with “pulse compression and Doppler frequency shift sensing technology.” Now is truly the time for a radar seminar.WEATHER BASICS With Lee Chesneau

May 19, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

Do you really know enough about the weather to cruise beyond the horizon? Do you know the best ways to get weather forecasts once outside your home waters. Do you recognize the clues that are telling you, “Seek shelter now!” Lee Chesneau, veteran mariner and former forecaster for the U.S. Navy and National Weather Service, explains basic weather terminology and 101 concepts such as temperature, wind and pressure and cloud identification. There are so many ways to obtain forecasts nowadays, some free and some quite pricey. Chesneau briefs you all of them.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE YOU CALL THE SURVEYOR With Dylan Bailey

May 19, 2016 3:00pm-4:30pm

$60.00

So, you want to buy a boat? Boatbuilder, cruiser and ace-surveyor Dylan Bailey explains what you should look for before making an offer and hiring a marine surveyor. A dream of the perfect cruising boat can be crushed when its surveyed, but some of those deal-killers could have been detected early were it not for the fact that buying a boat is rarely a rational decision; we are often lead by our hearts. Bailey explains the ways in which buyers can slow down and take a look at the boat with the rose-colored glasses off. He will cover how to inspect hoses, valves, wiring mistakes, and signs of structural damage. There will be many photos of examples of what to look for. Attendees will be given a check list to follow for their inspection.

ALASKA: THE DREAM CRUISE With Mark Bunzel & Tony Fleming

May 20, 2016 8:30am-12:00pm

$125.00

Few other cruising destinations rival the Inside Passage to Southeast Alaska. Where else can you find incredible panoramic vistas, calving ice blue glaciers, bald eagles galore, bears on the beach or whales just a few hundred yards away? Add to this the ability to catch fresh salmon, halibut or prawns. All of this is in a relatively protected cruising ground with just two short open ocean crossings. For many this is the trip of a lifetime, others return again and again to take in all the varied and exciting destinations SE Alaska offers. Mark Bunzel, who publishes cruising guides and leads rallies to Alaska, discusses how you can make the trip in your boat, or even in a bareboat charter or flotilla. We will overview how to prepare and what is required. The preferred routes up through British Columbia will be covered and were to go in SE Alaska once you get to Ketchikan. Bunzel will touch on planning for weather and the tides and currents too. Tony Fleming, builder of Fleming yachts and accomplished videographer, will finish the morning with a showing of his spectacular video of a recent cruise to Alaska. MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS FOR CRUISERS & VOYAGERS With Denny Emory

Long distance cruisers rely on their marine electronics and nearly all marine electronic devices are interconnected by a network of some kind. It is essential to have basic understanding of networked systems and even better to have a thorough understanding of marine networks. PassageMaker contributor and veteran cruiser Jeff Hummel will provide a broad overview of all the different types of marine networks and will cover NMEA 2000 in-depth. The seminar is for anybody who plans to purchase, install and use marine electronics on their boat. The seminar will cover best practices, redundancy and other techniques to ensure maximum reliability of your vital systems.

CONFESSIONS OF A TOWBOAT OPERATOR: DISASTERS, NEAR DISASTERS & HOW TO AVIOD THEM With Brian Krantz

May 20, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

Based on his own real life experiences, this veteran towboat captain emphasizes planning and safety. Though not dismissing the use of PFDs, he underscores survival measures and and that boaters should focus on staying in the boat—particularly in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest. Krantz emphasizes how boating skills, advance planning, established procedures, and weather and tide information play into the survival equation.

OFFSHORE CRUISING: PREPARING YOURSELF & YOUR BOAT With Jeff Merrill

May 20, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

This seminar is designed for skippers and crew wanting to make offshore passages to reach distant ports; it’s designed to be both an introduction and a refresher. Jeff Merrill, who has logged more than 15,000 sea miles, much of it training clients, will discuss the essential preparations and fundamental skills. Topics will include weather considerations, route planning, watch standing, engine room checks, navigation/electronics operations, and more. The goal is to help make sure you and your trawler are ready before you depart, knowing what to expect under way and understanding what it is really like to operate your trawler at sea. Many helpful pointers will help ensure you, your boat and your crew are prepared so your next open water trip is safe, comfortable and successful. A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees CRUISERS PERSPECTIVES: TOWN HALL FORUM With Bruce Kessler, Steve Zimmerman, Mark Bunzel, Dylan Bailey, Jeff Merrill & John Clayman

May 20, 2016 3:00pm-4:30pm

$60.00

TrawlerFest Anacortes’ only afternoon seminar during the boat show will be a town hall event. In it, our panel of veteran cruisers will field audience questions on a wide-range of topics, sea stories resulting. Circumnavigator Bruce Kessler can discuss what it’s like to spend months and months treading bluewater. Sam Devlin is an accomplished boat builder and cruiser. Surveyor Dylan Bailey is a veteran liveaboard who learned to build boats with his father. Offshore mariner Denny Emory is expert on offshore emergencies and medicine. Mark Bunzel publishes the authoritative North West cruising guides and leads rallies to Alaska. Brian Krantz is a leading area yacht broker, cruiser and all-around boat guy, and Steve Zimmerman can discuss repairs and boatyards from the point of view of both a cruiser and boatyard owner. Former PassageMaker Editor Peter Swanson will moderate and occasionally throw in his two cents.

CARE & MAINTENANCE OF THE CRUISING POWERBOAT With Steve Zimmerman

May 21, 2016 8:30am-12:00pm

$125.00

Boatbuilder and yard owner Steve Zimmerman takes you on an in-depth look at fiberglass boat maintenance and repair priorities. Zimmerman is uniquely qualified as an instructor by virtue of nearly four decades of boat repairs, culminating today in his ownership of four boatyards in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, not to mention the fact that he is an experienced cruiser. The class will begin with fiberglass boat construction, concentrating on critical areas such as core materials, gelcoat, and osmotic blisters. This session will inform boat owner decisions about repairs, and how to avoid simple mistakes that diminish a boat’s value. Additional topics will include annual haul-out protocols, including inspection of underwater hardware, the power train, and bottom paints. Other topics include teak decks, exterior wood coatings, and the proper use of sealants and bedding compounds. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion that in some cases may help save some money on their boat insurance. BASIC COASTAL NAVIGATION FOR HUSBANDS & WIVES With Bob Sweet

May 21, 2016 8:30am-12:00pm

$125.00

Are you truly confident that you always know where you are and how to get to your destination? Whether you’re new to navigation or just want to get up to speed with the latest technology, this mini-course is for you. Instructor Bob Sweet is a senior navigator and author of The Weekend Navigator, GPS for Mariners, Using GPS, Using GPS with Charts, and consultant to OceanGrafix. Sweet’s seminar is a comprehensive “quick start” guide to navigation. You’ll learn the essential skills from planning a cruise, through navigating it and checking along the way. You will learn how to use conventional charts with your electronics in a complementary way to ease your navigation tasks and ensure your safe arrival at your destination. You’ll also learn some neat tricks for adjusting your navigation along the way and making your task a lot easier. You will learn about tides and currents and how to adjust to them. This also is a great course for mates and crew who would like to share in the navigation. You will get to work with real charts and some plotting tools on a simulated mini-cruise. Certificate of completion.CRUISE PLANNING & UNDERWAY WITH PC NAVIGATION With Jeff Hummel

May 21, 2016 8:30am-10:30am

$60.00

Nearly all long distance cruisers use a PC based navigation software to complement their onboard systems, in fact many if not most use PC based systems as their primary navigation tool. Jeff Hummel, author and PassageMaker contributor, will provide you with a complete understanding of how long range cruisers plan their voyages and navigate on the water. The seminar will cover electronic charts, integrating existing electronics, planning a long trip and using the software under way. Having worked at Nobeltec and now Rose Point Navigation Systems, Hummel is one of the world’s leading authorities on PC based navigation.

THE CARE & UPKEEP OF YOUR MARINE GENERATOR With Bob Senter

Saturday, May 21, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

$60.00

Your boat’s generator set does a lot on board; but how well do you understand it? Northern Lights Factory Trainer “Diesel Bob” Senter will use a running generator set, to show you the ins and outs of generator service and maintenance. From the basics of properly sizing your genset to the right coolant and oil, and the options that maximize your enjoyment on board, Senter’s course will cover the essential facts of power production every recreational boater should know.

Senter himself is an avid cruiser, having been active in yachting for 49 years, some of that time as a live-aboard. He consults with many companies, providing expertise in marine engine development and training, including John Deere's marine division and Northern Lights. He has trained everyone from private boat owners to the Mexican Navy in engine, generator systems repair and maintenance. In 2004, Senter served as engineer-on-call while taking part in Nordhavn's Atlantic Rally crossing the Atlantic with 18 motor yachts from Ft. Lauderdale to Gibraltar.

Chesneau will first break down the components of the upper air 500 mb chart (altitude, wind, & trough axes). Your boat is on the surface (sea level), however, the fact is that most surface weather is directly influenced by what lies above! Thus, the 500 mb constant pressure surface is about half way up the atmosphere. 500 mb is also the constant pressure surface within the lower portion of the atmosphere called the “Troposphere” but at varying altitudes, that controls how & where surface weather systems develop, intensify and weaken.

Finally, He will present an important overview of the “Rules of Thumb” & the A,B, C, & D zones associated with a 500 mb chart (as discussed in detail in Heavy Weather Avoidance by Chen & Chesneau).

DIALING IN YOUR TRAWLER With Jeff Merrill

May 21, 2016 10:45am-12:30pm

$60.00

Over the years and through his experiences on hundreds of trawlers, yacht broker Jeff Merrill has amassed a collection of “good ideas” and “best practices” that trawler owners are using to better monitor their vessels. These simple and effective techniques apply to most power cruising boats. Tricks of the trade and helpful reminders will help take some of the guesswork out of tracking various systems and equipment on board your trawler. Little details like reference marks for needles on analog gauges, a dry-erase board in your engine room, anchor chain marking and many other common-sense tips make this an engaging and informative seminar that you won’t want to miss. Merrill will share photos of these ideas and also discuss an assortment of products that you should consider using on your trawler that will not only make your life more enjoyable, but may also favorably affect your eventual resale value. ANYBODY WANT TO TAKE A BOAT TO CUBA? With Peter Swanson

May 21, 2016 3:00pm-4:30pm

$60.00

Imagine 3,000-miles of largely undeveloped and unexplored coast that begins just a hundred miles from the Florida Keys. Former PassageMaker Editor Peter Swanson briefs West Coast cruisers on the possibility of taking a boat—somebody’s boat—to the land of “rum, rhumba and revolution.” He explains the fast changing nature of U.S. regulations, the realities of Cuba’s marine infrastructure and options for interested boaters, regardless of where they live.

Demos

We are happy to offer FREE demos from our sponsors during the show. Make sure you don’t miss them!

Thursday, May 19 • 1:30-2:15pm

Everything You Wanted To Know About Your Yacht Insurance Policy But Didn't Know Who To Ask – Presented by Cary Wiener, Pantaenius Insurance

This presentation provides an overview of what yacht insurance is for, the different types of policies that are available, and how yacht policies can differ overall. Topics to be covered include: - Implication of secret implied warranties. - Review of clauses found in most yacht insurance policies. - How to negotiate with your insurance company for better terms. - An Open Forum. Ask ANYTHING about marine insurance and marine law.

Thursday, May 19•2:30pm – 3:15pm

Satellites; TV & Communication – How to Get Both Aboard - Presented by Paul Comyns, Intellian

Intellian’s, Paul Comyns, a leading expert in satellite communication, will discuss the latest in satellite communication technology and options for keeping you connected wherever you cruise.

Thursday, May 19• 3:30pm – 4:15pm

Do I Need Medical Evacuation Coverage or Should Long Range Boaters Have Evacuation Coverage?- Presented by Joel Dovenbarger, DAN Boater

Whether you are a recreational boater, day cruiser or long range boater, having the best product for the type of travel you do is important. This demo is about mistakes people make when they buy assistance products and what to look for. It will also touch on what some terms mean, limits, and pricing, so you will be confident in your next purchase.

PC-based marine navigation has revolutionized the way boaters plan and navigate voyages. PC-based navigation systems are easier to use and offer a more comprehensive user experience and sophisticated tools than what is available on a dedicated plotter. This seminar will cover all of the basics of PC navigation including: software elements, choosing a program, charts, satellite and aerial imagery, marine grade hardware, weather information, AIS, tides and currents and more. This seminar is ideal for boaters who want to set up a PC-based navigation system at the helm or are looking for more robust tools to plan their next voyage.

Friday, May 20 • 2:30pm-3:15pm

The DAN Boater Program, How DAN will Help You in an Emergency – Presented by Joel Dovenbarger, DAN Boater

Introduction to DAN Boater Membership Association. Case histories from DAN medical assistance calls provided to boaters and recommendations for must have's in boater first aid kits. Staying healthy while at sea.

How to finance and insure your boat with the best programs in the industry.

Saturday, May 21 • 1:30pm-2:15pm

Your Marine Generator Set – Presented by Bob Senter, Northern Lights

How well do you understand your boat's generator set? Northern Lights Factory Trainer Bob Senter will walk you through the ins and outs of generator set service and maintenance, using a running generator set.

Join boat builder, author, filmmaker and industry icon, Tony Fleming, for a special presentation of his film, Venture to Prince William Sound. The film features stunning images and rare footage captured on Tony's voyage to arguable one of the most breathtaking destinations on the planet aboard his Fleming 65, VENTURE. The film will be followed by a brief Q&A session.

Directions

Driving Directions

Located on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is conveniently situated halfway between Seattle and Vancouver BC. Seattle – Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is just an hour and a half away!